Controlling device for mechanical movements.



U. H. CARTER.

CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR MECHANICAL MOVEMENTS. APPLIGATION IlLED APR. 28, 1905.

961,842.; Patented June 21,1910.

WITNESSES: Cam/M VINI/EIVTOR,

ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT"OFFIOF- CHARLES H. CARTER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR MECHANICAL MOVEMENTS.

troller for. switches whereby the movements of the switch blade or bar will be limited to the functional area and directed with certainty therein; to provide a controlling' means whereby. the: switclubladeL- or bar can be operated by successive movements in the same general direction and be caused to assume a new functional :position for each sue cessive movement; to provide a switch-controlling device *by means of which the switch-blade or bar can be caused to assume different functional positions by successive pulls thereon in the same general direction; to provide a switch-mechanism comprised of certain simple units which are capable of indefinite increase for multiple structures and are susceptible of control, irrespective of number, by a single operating device; and to provide a controlling mechanism by means of which the several functional positions of a switch can be produced in succession without any change in the direction of application of power.

With theiabove objects in view, and others which Will-be detailed during the course of this description, my. invention consists in the parts, elements .and combinations of 'elements and devices hereinafter described andclaimed.

In the drawings forming part of this description: Figure 1 is a plan View of a simple device which ,I have chosen'to illustrate the principle of my invention; and Fig. 2 is a section on the line .2-2, Fig. 1.

Primarily, it should be understood that the structure shown in the drawings is but one form whichl have chosen to illustrate thegeneral principle of my invention and is not to be construed as a limitation, and in the description Wherever reference is made Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 28, 1905. Serial, No. 257,882.-

Patented June 21,1910.

to a specific application of the invention to any given system or art, it is to 'be understood as explanatory of the general princi nles and not as a limitation.

Referring to the drawings, the nun'lcral 1 indicates a resilient, reciprocatory, switch bar or blade, in this instance of my invention. pivoted or hinged at 0!, upon a base of suitable material so as to swing or oscillate inthe arc of a circle under control in every movement. The base may be of electrical insulating material, and the bar 1 may or may not carry current according to its use. A reciprocatory bar 0 is likewise. pivoted or hinged at 7' adjacent the bar 1 and connected tothe latter by the link 5), pivoted to each ofsaid-bars so that the latter may move together, said link being of insulating material, if in an electrical system, to prevent short-circuiting. The bars are swung upon their pivots, in one direction, by means of the single pull-string '2, or other equiva lent device. guided and directed, if desired, by the guide-eye 0, fixed to the base or other adjacent support, said string being suitably connected at m,'to said link 9. lleturn movement is given to said bars, when released, by the spring 3, connected at one end to said link 9 and at its'other to said base or adjacent support. The movement of said bars is lilnited'in one direction by means of the stop-pin 8, projecting from the base, and in the opposite direction by the stop-pin 8, also projecting from the base. These two stops prescribe the extremes of movement of the two switch-bars and constitute the boundary of the functional area of operation of said bars. "ithin this functional area is located a combined guide and catch 4, and. if in an electric systen'i, said catch will also be a current contact or tern'iinal. and an additional terminal contact '7 may be located in this functional area for two pole-switch circuits.

'cam, or guiding device. and its lower guide arm or prong 4 is bent so as to depress its end substantially into engagement with the base so as to form another cam or guiding open end, is the shunt-guide,

' with the arm 4*.

I suitable manner, it being understood that,

the other'extreme of the functional area of as by making it of spring-metal; the ter- .made of spring-metal, if desired; and the then h the arm 4 .the s unt-guide is.

-, i of the Switch-mechanism and controller, as-

the bar 1 to flex and run along under the- ,guide arm 4 which in turn will flex and. 40-

- 1 being in the loop of thecatch. It will now device. Cooperating with said catch 4, at its having its guiding device or arm 5 bent so as to be elevated from the base, to be sli htly convexed so as to be substantially in contact with the end of arm 45 .of the catch, and to have its outer end substantially in contact The guide or arm 5 is secured by its shank 5 to the base in any suitable manner, and the'catch-contact or catch 4 and terminal'7 are secured to the base in any in an electric system, the catch-contact 4:, device 7 and switch-bars are current terminals, as presently described.

Each of the bars 1 and 6 is made resilient,-

minal contact 7 and shunt-guide 5, may be catch-contact is made sunning it is desired to switch in the current, the cord, or equivalent device will be pulled to the left, Viewing Fig. 1, which will cause allow saidarm to pass and assume the position indicated by 1, Figs. 1 and 2, this being the extreme of movement to the left which brings said bar '1 into engagement with the s'top8 The cord now being released, the s ring 3 will assume control and retract said ar 1, so as to draw itinto the dotted-line position indicated at 1', said bar be seen that-the location of shunt-guide 5 is such-that switch-barl' cannot slide under said shunt-guide, but must-ride over the top thereof and under the'arm 1 of the catch. Another ull in the same direction,to the, left,w' draw the'switch-bar 1 into the dotted-line'position indicated at 1, the move-g ment of said'bar bein or to the limit of the left, whereupom-when the said 'stringfis'ree" le'ased, the's ringwill again controLand the resiliencyJo thefbar 1 will enable it-to flex" and ride over the top of the guide arm 14*" ofthe catch, and engage the stop 8,which isagain to the stop '8? 1 operation of the: switchbar, said stop8 holding-said. bar in the full-lifted position indition. Another the art to understand mechanism to control or duplicate its functions, without changing cated in Fig. 1. Assuming, now, a doubicpole switch system, another unit may be coupled with the one just described, without changin the mode of operation or control ofthe rst unit in any respect; that is to say, within the same functional area the bar 6 and contact 7 are located, the bar 6 being coupled to bar l by the insulated link 9. A pull to the left on the cord carries the bar 6 over to position l in unison with bar 1 to position 1 and release of said cord allows the spring to carry bar 6 into engagement with terminal 7, in unison with movement of bar 1 into the loop of the catch, the latterthus also holding bar 6 in operative posipull to the left' on the cord causes the bar 6 to move to position 1 again in unison with movement of bar 1 to position 1, the release of the cord causing spring 3 to drawthe bar'6 against stop 8, the bar 6 thus being the means for holding bar 1 in an inoperative position. This simple illustration of the form disclosingthe principle of my invention will enable anyoneskilled in how the units of'the mechanism may be multiplied at liberty;. that is to say, with a single-pole switch in the circuit the switch-bar 1,,catch-contact 4 and shunt-guide 5, with stops 8 and 8 on opposite sides, would constitute the unit of my switch, while in a double-pole circuit, to such unit would be added the switch-bar 6,

contact 7 and link 9 connecting,the'two bars 1 and 6. In either a sing-lerpole switch cir-.

cuit consisting of the elements forming the unit just described, or in a double pole switch circuit containing the elements just. described as forming the double unit, the recombined, or the elements thereof can be multiplied to any extent found necessary for any given number or character of circuits without changing either the construction, mode of operation, or the uni-directional character of the pull to operate the same within the functional area prescribed by the stops 8 and 8*.

From the above description and mode of spective units, singly or operation, it will be seen that the following,

in addition to .those already incidentally noted, are among the advantages of my invention: A switch-mechanism is provided which is controlled by a device adapted -to be pulled in a single direction, and for each I pull in the same direction, a difand every ferent result or function is secured; a switchmechanism is produced having a few simple elements which may be increased indefinitely, one or more of them, in order to adapt sald aplurality of clrcuits,

its mode of operation or structure in any material or essential particular "a switch-mechanism is produced which can be appliedso as to control a plurality of direct "circuits either simultaneously or in succession; a conteract-ion, functional result, or mechanical.

structure.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1.' A switch mechanism having in combination a switch-bar; means pivotally sup porting said bar at one end; means whereby said bar may be reciprocated on its pivot; means for limiting the reeiprocatory move- .ments of said bar in both directions so as to prescribe the movements of the latter; and means, coijperating with said bar at its free end, located within the limits of action of said bar and in the path of movement there-' of, for positively holding the same in a functional position, said means including a fixed catch. provided with a movable member havmg means enabling it to'yield under pressure so as to cause the bar to belifted from said functional position.

2. A switch-mechan sm having incombia yielding catch, cooperating with said bar.

. during,.and between the limits of its recipe a bar; means prescribing the functional area'- of movement of said bar; means within said rocations, for causing it to be moved into'a different plane of operationand functional position for each movement of said bar; in

the same, direction.

3. switch-mechanism having in combi natlon', a reclprocatory switch-bar;-means," cotiperatm'g with sald bar, normally tend ng to hold the same in and return it to a given position; means for prescribing the func-- tional area .of movement-of" sa d. bar; and means, including a yielding catch, .wi'thin intermedi ary member; one of said parts :havinfg v inherent flexibility and the. locking said functional area and in the path of movement of said barfor positively holding said bar in a functional position, said catch havcatch. p

4. In combination, an oscillatory switch-- area for holding said bar in a functional position; a manipulating device connected directly with said bar; said holding means including a yielding catch and a guide bywhich said bar may be moved through'different planes into different functional positions by power applied to saidmanipulatmg device successively in the same direction.

5. In combination, a plurality of switchbars; insulating connectingameans for said bars, whereby they may move in unison; means for limiting the ,movements of said bars; and means located .in the path of movement of one of said. bars for holding both bars in a functional position within the limits of their movements.

6. In combination, a reciprocatoryresilient switch-bar; means for actuating said switch-bar and for holding it under. tension; and a substantially U-shaped catch located in the path of movement of said switch-bar and arranged relatively to the latter so that the, closed end thereof will positively hold said switch-bar when the latter is moved in one direction andprevent it from returning to its normal position and theopen end thereof will enable said switch-bar to pass from the catch and be vmoved .toits normal position. a

7. In combination, a resilient switchrjbar, means for actuating said .bar and a' catch, cooperating with said bar,'havin'g a substantially U-shaped holding portion and-fa lre+ silient deflecting portion extending within the holding portion.-

8., In combination, a resilient'switchbar; .means for actuating said. bar, a catcligficm opp'osi'te direction; and means cooperatmg withthe catch and for guiding said-bar for releasing the latter when again moved in" the first direction. v 10. A switch-mechanism having a vibra-- tory blade; a-devicehaving a fixed position and provided with 'prO ecting members forming guides for said blade; an interme- Jdiary member. extending in a direction across :said 'g'uides; and means for moving said blade; successively between .said guides and and releasing of said blade being accomplished' by flexing said part.

11. In aswitch-mechanism, in combmation,

. ablade; means foroperati'ngsaid blade; and

a plurality of guiding devices having a fixed position and provided with means adapted successively to guide said blade from its ini- "tialrope'n'positlon, under one of said guid- -ingdev1ces to a second guiding device and under. the latterxto .a closed position, over said last-named guiding device, and to and over a third guiding. device to its initial position'; one of said parts having inherent jections to-forin a guide which shall cause H I I II x the free endsgof the. arms ofuthei U.'-sh-aped' member." I 21 A 'controllerecatch com saidjblade beingzaccomplished by flexing;

said part. a v V I 12. A locking devicehaving an oscillatory member; a series of guiding devices having means cornbined and positioned "in" relation to. said member so that as the'latter is oscillated I the movement "thereofwill: be succes- I I overfsaid u per rojection toiits. free posi-- n an t sively under and over'the first of said guid- 'ingdevices to an intermediate-position be wtween two of them,:and from said position I by a furthenoscillation the: movement there' of will be successivelybetwen' tvvo of them and over the succeeding-guiding.devices of. vsaid series vtoits initial position; one of said' parts having inherent-fiexibilit and-the f its initial, open I diatejguiding device to a closedaposition bee beingaccomplished by flexing'said p locking and {releasing of said b a sle being;

accomplished by'flexing saidpart. I 13.'- In a switch emechani'sm, in' combina-:

tion, a blade; means for 0perating" said blade' a. air of guiding devlces-havingi a:-

amaposiiion and arranged ione faboveithei: other and .I-an intermediate guiding device;

said devices. being combined and; operating so as to successively 1 guide said: 'bladefrom 5 osition', under one of said pair-of guidmg evices,"under said in'tferme tween said pairofdevices, an from said I closed position over said-- intermediate guide ing devlce,

'and over theother' of said, "air; devices, to its initial-giosition of .guidin v '5 parts having inherent exibility;

art.-

' 14'. In a devicefor controlling mechanical movement, the combination with, a moving i;

member-, of a device havin' afixed position v and yrovidedlwjth a plu-rallty ofiprojections orming 'subst'antially-[ parallel" guides for Y I 1' '.said moving. member, an intermediary meme "ber act ng n eomunction w1th 'sa1d"dev1ceb a I1d;m' 0V1Ylg members hav n means to alter- I produced nately lock andrelase the atter, when it"issuccessively moved "in onejdirection one of said parts avinglinherent flexibility and. the

locking-and:1 -ele asin,g of said member being I for actuating-.saidmoving member. 15. A 'device for controlling-mechanical movement having in combination 'a m'ovingw member-{a 'fixed device haying an upper and lower p ejection; -an intermediary fle'xible; member acting'in cdnjunctio'n-zwith said .pr 0

Said movingniember to'be alternately held guide} and i' l6. controlling mechanical- I movementhayingin' combination-, a movi g;

member} a fixed flexible device having an:

direction between said I erating conjunction t erevvith' to a I for said. moving nembe augin the; I same "to be alternately. locked and released as itismoved successively 111 6 11 and over I said -intermedia'ry member*andwbehveengsaid" *prdi i ';E ere *nifiere'nt flexibility and: the and re-- gasing-of'said member being? produced -;by flexingi-thesameg nately'belockedandf released;

. 202A egntroller-catch om means for actuating said memffpo'rtiiigshank 'having'a fle$1ble upper and-idler projection; an interme h diary "fleiible. member Eating conjunctio -Withsaid projections to form a guide; and

means, .for actuating said 'n'ltwingg; member,

gagementz' with said device, away from said device" over said ntermedlary membenend e 'loc ing and releasingiofsaid vice. and intermediary member, i

member; being 'p'rodueed byfflexlng' saidde .cause the latter to cooperatevvith said device si vjely-under said lower projection into en-I I 17. In a, device. for controlling mechanical mediary meinber extending in the}; opposite rojeetions Y and jo'p- 1s-. A switch mechanismi' having 7; ii's'nj in meansent -.b1 1.. e;-" adevi e, cooperating thrvyifh, whereby? it' isLadap't d t movenient, the" combinationwith a- *member; of a fixed device. having'ia pair of i substantially parallel projections; an inter? merilber. having ,trna'tely- 'lockand -release saidjbladl'when the. same is; ,by a su'eeession'jofmovements} .shifte'd in "the same direction, r said' device having r p'gojecting' members; and -.an- 'interj' f mediary member cotiperating;withsaid .pro- I .jecting member's the several m'enibers thus: formingiaseries of guides'yandamea s r:

movingsaid-bladefintocoiiperatioil with said- 7 series of guides, so' that the same will alter-P, I

x: "19, 'A {svvitchsmechamsm' having in 'c'ome 'bination a switch-bar; means, vvherebysaid" 'bar'may' be reciprocated, including a device 1' for moving said; bar into" a functional posi tion"; a yielding catchcoopera'ting .withsaid ,bar; and means whereby 'saidfidevice may be 5 moved universally, and they actuation of said device-fin-v any direction will cause said. bar

into and outfof engagement with said catch,' substantially-as described.

I and an F intermediate" member, ex-.' tending between and being overlapped by 22;; eene neeene e iis n a ame,

I rising" a .95 per-ting shank: having aEflem'ble, -U%shap'ed., member,

and a flexible, U -shaped member 'otfset therefrom, the arms of said member being bent so as tovextend .in substantially the same direction, and "an independently supported cooperating member extending between the arms of said member.

23. A controller-catch comprising in combination a U-shaped member, the arms of which are resilient, and an independently Hi supported cooperating guide the. arm of at its free ends.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this 24th day 1.5

of April A. D. 1905.

' CHARLES Vitnesses:

Lnwrs- J. Doonr'rrnn, WM. W. DEAN.

CARTER. 

